Duvet Thickness Guide
Choosing the right duvet size is essential to ensure comfort. You should choose a duvet that is 12 inches wider and wider than your mattress to give a pleasing overhang.
Tog ratings are used to assess most duvets. This scale measures how well the duvet holds warmth and keeps you warm.
Selecting the right thickness
The key to a great night's sleep starts with the duvet. The thickness or tog rating of your duvet could play a crucial role in how warm you're able to sleep, and also impact the overall appearance of your bedroom.
A duvet's tog rating is an indication of how well it insulates and insulates, with lower ratings being cooler and heavier and heavier, whereas higher ratings are warmer and more cozy. The best tog rating for a duvet will depend on a variety of factors that include your personal preference and the temperature of your bedroom and the season.
In general, a lower tog rating that is between 1 and 4.5 is the ideal choice for summer, while winter requires a more cozy range of 10.5 and 13.5. The weight of a duvet can be an important consideration and natural fills such as goose down offering a soft and airy feel, whereas synthetic duvets are generally heavier and thicker.
The outer casing of the duvet, or ticking, can aid in regulating your temperature based on its thickness and material. Generally, cotton and polyester ticking are the best choices for the majority of people, with the former being often thought to be the superior option as it is soft and breathable.
It's also worth considering the duvet's fill, as this can also have a big impact on its temperature-regulating properties. Duvets with down are popular because they're breathable and provide a cloud-like feeling. Feathers are a ideal alternative for those looking to get an extra layer of warmth.
When selecting a duvet you must also consider the size of your mattress. A duvet should be a little larger than your mattress so that it can be tucked into the bed neatly at the foot to avoid any unwelcome or uncomfortable folds. Similarly, if you share the bed with a spouse or children, opting for a bigger duvet can help to avoid any nighttime tugs-of-war!
Seasonal Temperatures
The weather outside can affect the temperature inside your bedroom, and a duvet's thickness is crucial to regulating the body's temperature. However, the right thickness depends on seasonal temperatures and your personal warmth preferences.
Duvets are usually labelled with the 'tog' rating, which is a measure of how cool or warm the duvet is, with lower ratings being warmer and more thick ones warmer. While this is a good method of understanding the thermal insulation properties of a duvet, it is important to know that the tog rating does not necessarily mean how warm or heavy the duvet is. It is more beneficial to consider the dimensions of the filling which is measured in GSM (grams per square meter).
In the summer, a lighter duvet could be a better choice as it will be less bulky and easier to regulate your temperature while you the night. This is important for people who sleep on their sides and a smaller duvet will prevent the bedding from clumping and creating a cold patch on your body.
A summer duvet should be made of natural fibers to promote breathability, and help stop overheating that may occur during hot nights. It's also recommended to cover your bedding with sheets and blankets designed to increase airflow and avoid overheating.
In the colder seasons, you'll want to upgrade to heavier duvets that have an increase in tog that can hold your body heat and keep you cosy and warm during chilly nights. Winter duvets typically range from 10.5 to 15 tog. This is the ideal choice for a restful sleep in cold conditions.
Owning a duvet per season is an excellent way to ensure you get the best sleeping conditions all through the year. So if you are considering switching to a thicker duvet, it's worth keeping an easy summer duvet on to use during the warmer months, and a warm winter duvet to keep you cosy when the temperatures drop.
Children's Beds
The size of your bed will play a role on what duvet thickness you will require. For example, if you have a bed for your child that is small, then you must select a duvet suitable for a bed that measures 70x140 so that it fits properly and does not drag on the floor where dust could accumulate.
It's also important to note that the material the duvet is constructed of will impact how it feels and how warm or cool it feels. There are a variety of fillings available which range from down to synthetic fibre which could be hollow or microfibre polyester. Both offer warmth, however down-filled duvets are lighter and more luxurious. A synthetic duvet is more heavier and dryer.
It is also important to consider the thread count of your duvet as it can influence how soft it is. The higher the thread count the more soft the fabric will be.
Another aspect that can affect your duvet thickness is whether it's a baffle or boxed style. A boxed duvet has fabric strips that are sewn along the edges of the duvet, creating an oval shape that helps to trap heat. A baffle duvet has cubes of fibre stitched together to form a block which also holds air to provide insulation. However, it can be less expensive than a boxed design.
Finally, it's worth considering the tog rating of your duvet. If you live in an area with a cold climate, you will want to select a duvet that has a tog rating that is higher than 10.5. This will help keep you warm in the winter seasons. But, it's best to not go over 10.5 Tog as this could make a duvet uncomfortable.
It's also important to note that babies and toddlers shouldn't sleep under duvets or quilts since this can lead to overheating and even suffocation. Instead, they should utilize blankets or sleeping bags. Visit the Lullaby Trust for more information on sleeping in a safe manner.
Aesthetics
Duvets offer a variety of alternatives to traditional comforters, and are easy to care for. They're breathable, so they can be used in summer, and warm enough to be used in winter, plus you can easily change out the covers to create different aesthetics.
You can pick from different duvet fillings. Feathers and down provide warmth and comfort without adding bulk, and microfibre is lightweight and provides the same level softness as down. Some prefer a natural duvet that has a more authentic feeling while others prefer the convenience of synthetic fillings.
The material your duvet is made from will affect the way it feels as well as how it looks. Linen and cotton are both classic choices, with the latter providing a soft, breathable texture that softens as time passes. Silk is a popular choice due to its smooth and silky texture and smooth. It's ideal to add a touch of elegance to your bedroom.
You might want to select organic or sustainable options depending on your preferences and the frequency at which your duvet is cleaned. These are typically made using natural fibres such as wool or down, and some are also certified to OEKO-TEX and GOTS standards. They are an excellent choice if you want a product that is environmentally healthy and comfortable.
After normal duvet tog have selected the size of your duvet, make sure that the cover is fitted correctly. This will prevent the duvet filling clumps from escaping and keeps your bedding clean and fresh. There are many different duvet sizes, and the size of your bed will determine which duvet tog.
A 4'6" double mattress requires a standard duvet that is snugly slid over it with a generous overhang. You can also buy king-size duvets designed to fit a king-sized bed and offer the best fit. Think about if you require a duvet with an opening with a button to ensure your bedding stays in place.